Ruud Streefkerk

In the far northeast of Norway lies the Varangerfjord. It is about 100 km long and with an average width of 70 km. At Kirkenes, the Pasvik River, which forms the border with Russia, debouches in the fjord. The Varanger peninsula is washed in the north by the Barentsz Sea. On the prehistoric coastline near Mortensnes, traces of pit-dwellings and tentpoles have been found from the Neolithic- and Early Bronze Age. There is also a large, pre-Christian burial field dating from around 1000 BC to the 16th century. The burial field contains more than 400 graves in stone cavities. In addition, there are several sacrificial sites, such as the Tran-steinen (Tear-stone) sacrificial site, which was smeared with cod liver oil by fishermen to ensure good luck when fishing.